Hearing Aids

Hearing aids, technology and the Baby Boom have finally come together in a "perfect storm" with the happy outcome of really good hearing aids for not much more than the older funkier ones.

The technology around small audio devices, high fidelity, good micro-circuits and batteries has been around for a few years, but the demand has not. Not until recently, that is. With the Baby Boomers finally hitting AARP and MediCare age, there are millions of potential customers for hearing aids that "ain't your fathers hearing aids".

Especially for folks with the most common kind of high-tone hearing loss (more loss at pitches around human speech than at lower pitches), the newer "open-ear" devices are a perfect fit. They are nearly invisible, work well, and don't squeal with feedback even when you use a phone, wear ear protectors, or use a helmet or a hat.

These often cost around $4,000 a pair which is not much above the older clunkier ones. MediCare may cover up to about $500 of this. Make sure the vendor has a reputation for seeing you after the sale for any further fittings and fine adjustments.

I am very impressed that I have had several patients in the past few months absolutely ecstatic over their new hearing aids and the quality of service from their vendors. In fifteen years, I have never heard anyone go on about how happy they were with their hearing aids!

The patients in question had obtained them at All American Hearing in Cameron Park, and the Costco in Folsom. As a disclaimer, I have absolutely no financial ties to either organization and receive no compensation or "kick-backs" from them. (I am, however, a Costco member and am impressed by the quality of the meat and produce selections.)

I have heard every objection to getting hearing aids that there is. Think about it in the same way you would think about LASIK vision correction or a remodel on your home. If the money involved would be worth it in terms of quality (hearing really, really well in this case), then the time to spend that money is when you will be able to enjoy it for a long time. This may also mean while you are still relatively young and still working, since you are still bringing in a paycheck. This is easier than after you retire and are living on a fixed income, and certainly better than waiting until you are so old that you may not get to enjoy them for long.

Hearing what's going on around you, not feeling irritated by having to ask people to repeat themselves and being able to fully enjoy a conversation, a party, music or a dance are not at all over-rated!